Hi there. In this Pokemon TCG post I showcase the secret rare cards from Japan's Battle Partners set. Some of these arts look really good. The Battle Partners set feature four trainers. These are Iono (Paldea), Lillie (Alola), Hop (Galar Region) and N from Unova.
I showcase the art cards with little or no commentary.
Maractus
Articuno
This Articuno is very beautiful. I can see the price of this being 10 CAD or more when it releases in English in the Journey together set.
Wailord
Iono's Kilowattrel
I do like the colours on this card. It is a bit too cartoony for my liking. I do think this card will be in demand as there are a fair bit of Iono fans.
Lillie's Ribombee
This art card is very very nice. It is colourful and cute.
Swinub
This Swinub art card is okay. It shows Swinub by itself with the snow.
Lycanroc
N's Zorua
N's Reshiram
This N's Reshiram card was revealed back in August 2024. It is very colorful and beautiful.
Furret
Very cute.
Noibat
Noibat alone in a cave. The picture here is not great but I think this card looks better in person and up close.
Hop's Wooloo
Volcanion ex Full Art
Iono's Bellibolt ex
The full art cards in Journey Together are different now. Before it was just the Pokemon. They now have the Pokemon with the associated trainer in the background. There is more detail on the full art cards now.
Here is Iono's Bellibolt ex. Iono is in the background.
Lillie's Clefairy ex
Mamoswine ex
N's Zoroark ex Full Art
Hop's Zacian ex Full Art
Salamence ex Full Art
Dudunsparce ex
Iris's Fighting Spirit
Champion Iris is back as a full art card.
Ruffian
Although the art on this card is decent, I think this card is likely not to be in high demand. Who is Ruffian? Why does he look like he is saying "Gimme your lunch money kid.".
Brock's Scouting
Volcanion ex
Volcanion ex here looks very menacing with dark red and the magma background.
Iono's Bellibolt ex
Iono in this card is seen here hugging her Bellibolt. The Iono cards in the Scarlet & Violet era have been pretty colourful.
Lillie's Clefairy ex
This card is very cute. Clefairy is happy and Lillie is smiling next to Clefairy. This or the Iono's Bellibolt ex above could be the most expensive card from this set. (I chose this card as my thumbnail.)
N's Zoroark ex
N & Zoroark kind of look evil here.
Hop's Zacian ex
Salamence ex
This art card looks a bit generic to me. It is not awful but I think it could standout more in some way.
Iono's Bellibolt ex (Gold)
N's Zoroark ex (Gold)
Spike Energy (Gold)
I think in every set there is one Gold Trainer card or one Gold Energy card. Spike Energy is the gold Energy card here. The gold colour is blended nicely on the corners and around the Energy icon.
Closing Notes
This Battle Partners set has a lot of nice arts here. I don't plan on buying sealed products as prices have gotten out of control since Surging Sparks & Prismatic Evolutions.
One Japanese booster box of Battle Partners in my area is something like 160 CAD. The typical price of a Japanese booster box for Pokemon is below 100 CAD at around 60 to 70 CAD. People going crazy these days. (Where is this money coming from?)